Aid for Trade: A Diversity of Issues and Viewpoints

There is a great deal of uncertainty among both developed and developing countries about the new Aid for Trade (AfT) initiative. Among developing countries in particular, there is unease about the timing of AfT and the fact that the development dimension of the Doha Round is still to be addressed. AfT has emerged at a time when there is an urgency to complete negotiations on market access in the Doha Round. The question that many developing countries are therefore asking is: are we being offered aid in exchange for opening markets? This issue of Trade Hot Topics examines the various issues and viewpoints related to the AfT initiative.